2019 Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard

Property: Kick Ranch
Appellation:  Fountain Grove District, Sonoma County
Clonal Selection:  60% Musque Clone, 40% Clone 317
Site: Steep, rocky west facing slopes
Yield: 3 tons/acre

Growing Season

February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer.  Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set.  Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes.  The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for winemakers to allow their fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.  Volume was up 20-30% over average crop quantity.
Harvest Date: September  14th
Harvest Brix:   23.5° brix

Winemaking

Hand-harvested, picked at night
Whole  -cluster  pressed  while  still  cold  from  the  field
Musque clone fermented in stainless at 55° to retain delicate esters  and 317 clone barrel fermented in French Oak
Aged sur lees for 8 months in French oak with 15% new
Coopers: Nadalie Perle Blanche French oak
Un-fined and sterile filtered

Notes

Delicate aromas of lychee fruit, kumquat, jasmine and pineapple with hints of lemon zest, vanilla and citrus blossom that leap out of the glass with pure sauvignon blanc varietal character.  On the palate, the bright and forward tropical fruit broadens onto the mid palate with soft acidity and candied lemon flavors that lead to a creamy richness that finishes with long mingling bright tropical fruit, and toasted vanilla notes.